Bravery and hilarity at the Fearless Comedy Gala 2018

Posted on 8 September, 2018

Now in its third year, Canberra’s Fearless Comedy Gala is back to help give domestic violence victims a chance to rebuild their life and to give you a good laugh at the same time.

With an exciting line up of comedians from all over the country, including Claire Hooper, Dane Simpson, Tessa Waters, Jean Kittson, Rachel Berger, Ryan Coffey, Sparrow-Folk and Chris Ryan, the Fearless Comedy Gala is a unique event on Canberra’s comedy calendar.

Juliet Moody is the founder and director of the Gala and has suffered domestic family violence herself. While she was at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, had an epiphany. She noticed there were quite a few charity comedy events, but none happening in her home town of Canberra.

“Around the same time I had started talking about my own experiences, something I’d been quite private about. I thought to myself, maybe this might be a good opportunity to use my own personal experience to bring about change in our own community.”

She approached Canberra Theatre Centre and a few other organisations on board to support her cause, and the event took off. The Gala has been hugely successful, raising nearly $40,000 at the event night last year. Juliet aims to smash that target this year and get as many people coming to the event as the Canberra Theatre can hold.

“It was amazing that someone like me, an average suburban mum, came up with this idea, and I was so surprised how readily people jumped on board!”

Juliet Moody and Rosie Batty

Juliet uses comedy as a platform to shed a light on things that are really happening behind closed doors in our community. Domestic violence is often a taboo subject, and Juliet is a firm believer that the earlier people take action and seek help, the better the chances are for people to begin living their lives again by taking back their confidence, their identity and their self-esteem.

Juliet suggests the best advice for anyone going through or coping with domestic violence is simply to talk to someone.

“I think one of the main things, when you are going through domestic violence, is that you feel so isolated and you feel like no one can help you get out.

“Talking to my family and friends and people from support organisations like DVCS was the first step in really getting the help and getting back the confidence I needed to get out and overcome. I think it’s also about rebuilding back your sense of purpose and value and that’s certainly something comedy has given me.”

All proceeds raised at this event will be donated to the Domestic Violence Crisis Service and Toora Women’s Service, providing much needed support for families experiencing violence in the Canberra community.

WIN VIP tickets to Fearless

You can win two VIP tickets for you and your most fearless friend to the 2018 Fearless Comedy Gala on Thursday 4 October, including a special pass to the pre-show event AND a $250 gift voucher to spend in the Birdsnest’s Canberra Centre pop-up store. To enter, write 25 words about your most fearless friend and send to team@fearlessinitiative.org.au along with your name and contact number.

Entries close 5pm Tuesday 2 October 2018.

If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, you can contact:
1800 RESPECT (1800respect.org.au)
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre (Call 6247 2525 or rcc.org.au)
Lifeline 24-hour support (13 11 14)

Header image: facebook.com/fearlessinitiative

Body image: Kelly Tunney